Edge of Thorns 2 - Pt 6

Part 6
I should have known I'd be caught...

Nathan swallowed and continued to stare at him. Alton's expression never changed, as if he was waiting for him to do something, so the writer straightened and took a deep breath. "Well, I did," he said, trying to stay calm. "And I think, after that, you owe me some answers."

The devil raised one eyebrow and the corner of his mouth twitched. "Do I?"

"Yes." Nathan nodded, his confidence growing. "What is going on here? One day, you're asking me to help you find and get rid of these Sins, and now I hear you arguing with one about not doing the job you gave her. How can you expect me to help you when... when you're pulling this kind of crap? What are your intentions, Lucifer?"

The twitch in Alton's mouth widened into a wicked smirk when he used his proper name. "My intentions?" he repeated with a small laugh, turning away with a roll of his eyes, as if he were going to leave without explaining anything. But then he turned back, eyes narrowed at him. "Come on now, Nathan. You know who I am. You're well versed in the Bible; why don't you tell me what my intentions are? What is my job, hmm? My angelic duties. Your answer is right there..."

Nathan didn't know what he was talking about. "I'm done with this game," he said insistantly. "Either tell me, or don't expect my help with..." It suddenly clicked, and he felt the color draining from his face. "You're a testing angel. This... this is some kind of test?"

Alton's smirk turned into a grin and he laughed again. His casual, almost sensual demeanor was so different from the eager but meek bookseller Nathan had met him as that it sent chills down his spine, and it took every ounce of courage he had not to shiver. The angel clapped his hands mockingly as he continued to keep his deep blue gaze on him. "Very good, Nathan. I was sure you'd figure it out eventually." He folded his hands in front of him. "It has always been my job to provide humanity with these tests, from Eve with the apple to Jesus with food in the desert. It's what I do. As for you, Nathan, you've been through a recent tragedy. You lost someone close to you, a loss you still blame yourself for." He bowed his head towards him. "Am I right?"

"Yes." The word was weak, and Nathan slid down the wall slightly as his confidence waned again. Yes, he was right. Yes, he blamed himself. "I... I was driving..."

"I know what happened, Nathan." Alton's voice was suddenly gentle, and he moved to the writer's side, placing a hand on his shoulder. "There's no need to relive that memory..."

"Oh yeah? Then what about Enya?" Nathan snapped. He rubbed his face. "Great job not reminding me with Marni's doppelganger out there. God, she even signs..."

Alton wrinkled his nose and stepped back again. "That's part of the test." He reached into his jacket and pulled out his glasses, returning them to his face.

"Why?" Nathan rubbed his temples and shook his head. "I mean, why test me? What's the purpose? Who am I that I need to be tested for... whatever reason?"

The angel sighed. "Why did I test Job? Granted, the purpose was to test his faith, but why test him in the first place? You're not the only one not privy to that information. I'm just doing what I was asked to do."

"Weren't you the one who challenged his faith in the first place?" Nathan asked with a skeptical look. "And God let you to prove a point?"

"Do you believe everything you read?" Alton answered with a hiss, frowning at him. "Look, you're being tested. To tell you why and what for would defeat the purpose of the tests. I've already said too much as it is, but consider: if Job had known he was being tested on his faith, wouldn't that have made anything he did to prove himself suspect? The same applies to you. I'll give you no more hints."

Nathan sighed. He understood the logic, but it didn't mean he had to like it. He followed Alton as the other man walked back towards the party. "Just one more thing..." Alton's hand was on the door as he looked back at him, clearly tired of this conversation. Nathan decided he'd make it quick. "What did she mean by how your sense works?"

Alton frowned again and pushed his glasses up his nose. "She knows that I can sense her and her siblings, but with them all here at once, it's overload: I could be standing right next to one and not realize it." He opened the door back into the party, a round of applause as Enya finished her number echoing into the hall. "For now, I suggest we enjoy the party while we can, before Avaritia..."

Gunfire and screams. They'd just stepped back into the main room when chaos erupted, partygoers running from the dozen or so men who'd opened fire on them. Alton grabbed Nathan's arm and pulled him behind a nearby table as the gunmen spread through the room. One forced his way onto the stage and hooked his arm around Enya's neck, pulling her against him as he pressed the end of his handgun to the side of her head. "We're here for the charity," he said into the microphone with a sneer. "And anything else you've got to offer."

"She didn't..." Alton breathed, turning to Nathan with terror in his eyes. "Every Sin is here. Their hosts' powers are activated under duress when you're present, and I can't detect them once their powers have blossomed." He looked back towards the panicking crowd. "Nathan, you need to get out of here before it's too late."

But Nathan was only barely listening. His eyes were locked on Enya, and all he saw was Marni with a gun against her head.

Not again... not again...